Baron Cohen to play Holmes

Sacha Baron Cohen is to play Sherlock Holmes – with Will Ferrell as his Dr Watson.

The Borat star has been signed by top comedy producer Judd Apatow to headline the latest take on Arthur Conan Doyle's creation.

‘Just the idea of Sacha and Will as Sherlock Holmes and Watson makes us laugh,’ Columbia Pictures co-president Matt Tolmach told trade journal Variety.

‘Sacha and Will are two of the funniest and most talented guys on the planet, and having them take on these two iconic characters is frankly hilarious.’

The pair previously worked together on Talladega Nights two years ago.

The new Sherlock Holmes film is being written by Etan Cohen, who also scripted Steve Coogan’s forthcoming movie Tropic Thunder.

It is the second Hollywood take on the legendary detective in the pipeline – as Guy Ritchie is working on a more dramatic version for Warner Bros.

Baron Cohen is currently shooting his Bruno movie, slated for release on May 15, 2009.

Published: 2 Jul 2008